Hackney

Hackney's population expanded in the 10 years leading up to 2011. At the same time there were changes in jobs, housing tenure and relationships.

The population reached nearly quarter of a million

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Hackney increased by 21%, from almost 203,000 to 246,000.

The addition of about 43,000 people means this area's population was the third-fastest-growing in London and was the fourth fastest-growing across England.

In 2011, Hackney was home to, on average, 92 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres). This made it England's third-most densely-populated borough.

Population density was higher than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

A younger Hackney

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Hackney decreased by one year, from 31 to 30 years.

This cosmopolitan area had the third-lowest average age in London and remained younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of almost 19,000 people between the ages of 20 and 29 years, while the population over the age of 80 years decreased by just over 800.

About 23% of people in Hackney are aged between 20 and 29 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Hackney by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Hackney

The number of people in Hackney from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from about 50,000 in 2001 to about 57,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 25% to 23%.

Across London, the percentage of people from this ethnic group increased by from 11% to 13%, while across England the percentage went from 2.4% to 3.6%.

The number of people in Hackney from the White ethnic groups increased from just over 120,000 in 2001 to just over 130,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 59% to 55%. The number of residents from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just under 20,000 to about 26,000 (from 9.8% to 11%).

Just under 16,000 people (4.2%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from just over 8,500 in 2001 (6.4%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups in Hackney decreased by 1.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Hackney by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in rate of employment

This area saw England's third-largest rise in the proportion of employed people.

In 2011, just under one in two (48%) people aged 16 to 74 in Hackney said they were employed, compared with 43% in 2001. The percentage that were unemployed increased from 6.9% to 7.1%.

The largest increase occurred in Tower Hamlets (from 43% to 49%) followed by Knowsley (from 45% to 50%).

The rate of employment was lower than across London

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that that said they were employed across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

This area saw England's third-largest rise in the proportion of privately rented homes.

In 2011, just under 3 in 10 (29%) households in Hackney rented privately, compared with 15% in 2001. The percentage of socially rented homes decreased from 50% to 44%.

The largest increase occurred in Newham (from 18% to 34%) followed by Tower Hamlets (from 16% to 33%).

Private renting in Hackney increased by 14 percentage points

Percentage of households in Hackney, London and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Living alone in Hackney

This area saw England's third-largest fall in the proportion of single-person households.

In 2011, just over one in three (35%) households in Hackney had only a single person, compared with 40% in 2001. The percentage with an unmarried couple increased from 9.0% to 10%.

The largest decrease occurred in Newham (from 34% to 26%) followed by Camden (from 46% to 41%).

The percentage of households with only a single-person was higher than across London

Percentage of households that that comprised only a single person across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

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Area report data

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